Posted here with the kind permission of band-member Jian Ghomeshi, is Moxy Früvous‘ Gulf War Song (3.6Mb MP3). The song was written in response to the first Gulf War in 1991. This does not imply any endorsement of this site by the band. Jian requested that I make it clear that this is not for commercial purposes.
As someone who’s 25th sweet summer is approaching, this song has always resonated with me:
What could we say…we’re only 25 years old?With 25 sweet summers, and hot fires in the coldThis kind of life makes that violence unthinkableWe’d like to play hockey, have kids and grow old
Read the complete lyrics and download the song (3.6Mb MP3).
That’s a great cut. Almost enough to make me forgive Jian Ghomeshi for that television show.
Peter, if you are refering to The Great Canadian Music Dream, I take issue. While the show is obviously unfortunately named (something I very much doubt that Mr. Ghomeshi had any say in), the show was great. I was amazed at the caliber and diversity of the performers.
Big ups to Jian Ghomeshi for letting you post this great song as well.
Personally, I think their rendition of Spiderman spoke to me more but I am curious who, if anyone, actually called them to write a song about the war in the gulf as the opening of the song says…anyone know?
They were frequent guests on a CBC radio show where they would write songs based on requests from listeners/callers. It’s mentioned in their band bio, but the bio doesn’t say who the caller was.
You know you are getting old when a song written by contemporaries in age (Moxy Fruvous) about thinking about how life was more vibrant last decade is now itself a decade old – Stuck in the ’90’s. I think that show might have been “The Radio Show” with Jack Farr, the predecessor to DNTO (which itself was called Brand X in its first year in the early 90’s.) Jack Farr though the ’80’s ran live from 1 to 5 in each time zone Saturday afternoons and focused on what was going on in movies, music, books and handtools without being “issue oriented” and “media experts” like the entirely awful DNTO, at least when it was under Nora Young. It was clever, fun to listen to and the source of your best jokes for the following week.
Thanks Steve, & Jian Ghomeshi..I have been thinking of this song a lot in the past few days!
Dude! You’re a Fruhead, too!? 🙂
i think i almost cried the first time i heard that song, which is refreshing in comparison to the normal free-wheeling nature of most of moxy fruvous’ songs.
I’m 46, my eldest boy is 17. He’s a big MF fan, but I never heard the Gulf War Song til one ginny night spent away from home at a pal’s new house en route from my parent’s place to the distant wilderness… “Hey!,” said Tom, “you *have* to hear this song!” And he puts it on, and the din settles– his kids, 15 and younger, all quiet down and sing along with their father. The oldest boy printed out the lyrics for me…
A few candles, a ceiling fan stirring the humid August air, and the image of someone’s kid in the Persian Gulf fighting for Texaco….
Sigh.
Too corny to say God Bless the Fru? I think not.
I just stumbled upon this posting looking for some info on Moxy lyrics. I’m a huge fan of many years now, and that song is gorgeous, one of many beautiful songs for which the band is responsible. So odd that I just pulled the CD out no longer than 2 weeks ago and listened to it in the car for a week, more or less nonstop. Gulf War Song is great, and it’s more than applicable today…
Im 16 now.. i was the biggest MoxyFruvous fan in the world when i was like in my kid years then 10 and 11 ..i guess u could call me a fruhead..haha..but i miss them so much…can u tell me where they went.. and if they are ever gonna play more shows.? i would love to see them again.. i love this song : The Gulf war song.. its so nice.. ive been searchin for MF songs to put on my mp3 play.. and finally i found one…
<3 -Emily
Last night. University of Victoria. A hallway in the front of the David Lam Auditorium.
four tender 25 year olds sining a perfect rendition of the gulf war song to their reflection in the window keeping out a rainy blustery night.
Beautiful, touching. One of the best songs ever.
i was scouting for folks’ thoughts on this song b/c the sense of the song changed on me tonight, instead of them singing a narrative as themselves or of folks their age, the song shifted and came across as if Canada itself were speaking. is there something to this? what could be an aspect of canada only 25 years old?
anyone know if there was another version of this song written around vietnam war. My mother in law says she recognises the words from an older song with some changes.email me majella@thevillage.ie cheers